Welcome to the 5 Yard College mock draft 1.0.

It is that time of the year where Mock Drafts are appearing from every corner of the football community and here at 5 Yard College we wish to celebrate the college talent moving into the NFL.

I have made the selections in this mock draft and feature writers of the 5 Yard College team have given their profiles on each player selected. The names of each feature writer will appear in brackets after the summary profile.

Key to the writers contributing to this article and their roles within 5 Yard College:

Alex – ACC – @DynastyGuruNFL

Jack – Big Ten – @JackCDCTT

Mason – Player Scouting – @caliking49er17

Phil – SEC – @PoshCartlich

Ryan – Group of 5 – @That_UKGatorGuy

MOCK DRAFT DISCLAIMERS:

• Aaron Rodgers is assumed to be a New York Jet
• Lamar Jackson is assumed to be a Baltimore Raven
• Austin Ekeler, at the time of the mock draft, was still permitted to seek a trade from the LA Chargers.
• No consideration given to the Bill Belichick and Mac Jones rumours in this mock draft.
• No Mock Draft trades, the board sits as it does currently at the time of posting.

 

ROUND 1 – MOCK DRAFT

#1 – Carolina Panthers – C.J. Stroud – QB – Ohio State

It is a long off season between the college playoffs and draft night. Make your last impression a memorable one and that is absolutely what Stroud did in an outstanding personal performance in the College Football Playoff semi final against Georgia when he amassed 348 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 42-41 defeat. Already an accomplished pocket passer with an accurate arm, Stroud showcased the ability to play off-script and extend plays which has been a criticism lobbied at him. Some will have him as a QB1, others at QB2 but he has all the tools to warrant being the pick here. What is more, he is still improving which is a tantalising prospect for the Panthers who have paid a high price to move up and select him. (Phil)

#2 – Houston Texans – Bryce Young – QB – Alabama

Are Houston ready at this stage of their rebuild to take a QB? Either way, picking at #2 they select Bryce Young. His football IQ, accuracy and ball placement will be crucial but perhaps not as crucial as his leadership intangibles and they will be needed to lead the Texans in a new direction. (Phil)

#3 – Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr. – Edge – Alabama

Arguably the most talented player in the whole draft. Will Anderson is a blue chip player to build a franchise around and the Alabama prospect combines elite college production with a strong frame, powerful hands, incredible length and explosive burst which the NFL loves. Anderson will terrorise NFL quarterbacks for years to come and Arizona addresses one of many positions of need, softening the blow of JJ Watt’s retirement. (Jack)

#4 – Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida

Potentially the most athletically gifted quarterback to hit the NFL Draft. Initially described as a 2 year project QB, but his stock soared due to the athletic display at the Combine and a Pro Day which displayed his enormous arm. However, some question marks do remain regarding game accuracy and decision making based on his performances last season. The Colts add someone who can extend plays with his legs and add some dynamism to their offense. (Ryan)

#5 – Seattle Seahawks – Tyree Wilson – Edge – Texas Tech

A player with a lengthy and athletic profile. Tyree Wilson is a huge framed power rusher who is insanely explosive off the line and he joins former Denver Bronco Dre’Mont Jones on the edge. (Mason)

#6 – Detroit Lions – Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois

A play-making cornerback with an eye for a tackle. Great ability to read the game and the athleticism to match. Witherspoon becomes a key asset in Detroit’s secondary. (Alex)

#7 – Las Vegas Raiders – Nolan Smith – Edge – Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs defensive heartbeat on a talented unit that included several NFL Draft selections. Blew up the Combine with incredible physical testing, setting records along the way. An immediate three down edge defender and against the run he is a force to be reckoned with, almost impossible for tight ends to block. As a pass rusher, he will contribute due to a quick first step and high motor but needs to continue to develop his hand work and range of moves. Luckily, on this Raiders team he will not be expected to do it all right away. (Phil)

#8 – Atlanta Falcons – Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon

A physical man coverage corner with outstanding athleticism. Gonzalez has shown the potential to be a true number one corner locking down teams primary wide receivers on the perimeter. Pairing him with AJ Terrell gives an impressive young corner tandem. (Phil)

#9 – Chicago Bears – Jalen Carter – DT – Georgia

Top dog in an historic Georgia defense. Carter is a man-mountain set on disruption and the Bears elevate their defense with a DT possessing elite first-step burst, getting him through blocking schemes and to the ball. Carter has slid down draft boards after legal issues and a less than ideal Pro Day, but his upside is worthy of the pick here. Chicago takes the gamble on his character concerns. (Jack)

#10 – Philadelphia Eagles – Lukas Van Ness – Edge – Iowa

Van Ness has been compared more than once to TJ Watt due to his physical prowess and an eye for taking down quarterbacks. He has raw power and this will prove to be too much to handle for some of his opponents in the NFC East. Van Ness fills part of the void left by outgoing linebacker TJ Edwards and becomes a key defensive piece by 2024. (Alex)

#11 – Tennessee Titans – Peter Skoronski – OT – Northwestern

The Titans could use some talented youth in the offensive trenches. Skoronski is a very athletic lineman with great footwork that assists him in staying with athletic players off the edge in pass protection. (Mason)

#12. Houston Texans – Myles Murphy – Edge – Clemson

Incredible ability to obliterate left tackles at collegiate level. Murphy uses all of his power to bulldoze his way to opposition quarterbacks. He takes over the position as the starter on the right-side. (Alex)

#13 – New York Jets – Paris Johnson Jr. – OT – Ohio State

Easily the Rolls Royce in the class of offensive linemen. Johnson is smooth, physical and though he is not deemed as the most athletic, he does not need to be and more than makes up for it with intelligence and footwork. He will walk into the starting position at left tackle in New York. (Alex)

#14 – New England Patriots – Broderick Jones – OT – Georgia

A most impressive athlete. Men that size should not move that fast. Plays to the whistle every play and has strong, quick hand strikes. Relatively inexperienced, but the upside is huge. Landing in New England you would trust him to be coached to reach his outstanding potential. (Phil)

#15 – Green Bay Packers – Dalton Kincaid – TE – Utah

A pass-catching tight end with top athletic traits and rock solid hands which makes Kincaid the perfect foil for Jordan Love in his first year as a starter. He has an excellent pass-catching technique and body control, allowing him to take balls down low, up high, away from his body and in contested catch situations. Kincaid is a willing blocker with room to grow and develop given the right coaching. His prowess though will be in the receiving game. (Jack)

#16 – Washington Commanders – O’Cyrus Torrence – OG – Florida

Torrence is a monster of a finisher. He competes at a very high level and protects his QB with ferocity. Six foot five, three hundred and thirty pound linemen do not come around often and Washington grab a guy that has not allowed a sack in his college career and add a piece to the wall in front of their QB. (Ryan)

#17 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Joey Porter Jr. – CB – Penn State

Considered by some to be in discussion as the top corner in the class. Joey Porter Jr. has great height and athleticism for a corner. He will have a great opportunity to learn from and play the opposite side of the field as veteran Patrick Peterson. (Mason)

#18 – Detroit Lions – Calijah Kancey – DT – Pittsburgh

A real positional need for Detroit. Ranked as the most athletic defensive tackle at the Combine. Kancey waltzes his way through the opposition and this is supported by seven sacks in each of his last two seasons in Pittsburgh. The most natural interior defensive lineman in the draft after Jalen Carter. (Alex)

#19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Darnell Wright – OT – Tennessee

Darnell Wright is probably the best play-maker at the tackle position in this class. During his time at Tennessee he rarely gave his opponent a choice in which way they wanted to go. Wright also proved effective in affording Hooker the opportunity to throw the ball. He has experience at left and right tackle and is projected to be a starter alongside Tristan Wirfs. (Alex)

#20 – Seattle Seahawks – B.J. Ojulari – Edge – LSU

Most effectively used as a stand up edge rusher where he can use his explosive first step quickness to beat the line. Has great bend and good variety of pass rush moves. The 3-4 scheme in Seattle will allow him to focus on what he does best. (Phil)

#21 – Los Angeles Chargers – Bijan Robinson – RB – Texas

The fantasy football darling lands in the perfect spot, assuming Austin Ekeler successfully negotiates a trade out of Los Angeles. (Jack)

#22 – Baltimore Ravens – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR – Ohio State

Heralded as the best route runner of the wide receiver class this year, JSN brings exceptional athleticism and possibly the best receiver to hit Baltimore in some time. Recording over 1,600 yards in his best year with Ohio State and 9 touchdowns, at six foot one and almost two hundred pounds, could Lamar finally have a legitimate every down weapon to throw to? (Ryan)

#23 – Minnesota Vikings – Deonte Banks – CB – Maryland

Minnesota had a hole to fill in their secondary with Patrick Peterson now in Pittsburgh. Banks scored 10/10 RAS and allowed a 49% completion percentage on 102 attempts in college. (Mason)

#24 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch – S – Alabama

Described as a Swiss-army knife. Branch possesses immense speed giving the opposition no, or little room for error. With 90 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in 2022, Branch could be a Pro-Bowl candidate in his rookie year, much like Antoine Winfield Jr. was under the coaching of Cody Grimm. (Alex)

#25 – New York Giants – Jordan Addison – WR – USC

The 2021 Biletnikoff winner has produced consistently, playing for different coaches in different schemes during his time at Pittsburgh and USC. His nuanced release package at the line, precise route running and ability to make plays at all three levels will be a welcome addition to this Giants receiving corps desperate for an injection of talent. In this landing spot he becomes an immediate PPR hog for fantasy players. (Phil)

#26 – Dallas Cowboys – Bryan Bresee – DT – Clemson

Seemingly the forgotten man of the first round. Bresee is ready to put personal tragedy behind him. A former 5-star and number one overall recruit, a healthy Bresee offers outstanding inside pass rush. Best deployed as a three technique, getting him in the rotation early will be key. From there, watch his natural ability take over and I expect him to return to prominence as the dominant pass rusher he was in his first two years at Clemson. (Phil)

#27 – Buffalo Bills – Quentin Johnston – WR – TCU

At six foot four and two hundred and fifteen pounds, Buffalo adds a big bodied outside receiver with huge potential. QJ can accelerate effortlessly for someone his size and a long stride gives him an advantage off the line. With loose hips and great lateral movement, he gets himself separation early and often. Johnston has almost uncapped potential, but does need some refining as a receiver and this is most notable in his route running and catch discipline. He will benefit greatly from the tutelage of Stefon Diggs and arm strength of Josh Allen at the Bills. (Jack)

#28 – Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer – TE – Notre Dame

Mayer is the most refined tight end in the 2023 draft and lands in Cincinnati with a team which has a heavy need for the position. Having recently acquired Irv Smith Jr. in free agency, it gives the impression that the Bengals are ready to spend high on the tight end position and Mayer, who finished his 2022 season with 809 yards and 9 touchdowns, would be the perfect outlet for Joe Burrow. (Alex)

#29 – New Orleans Saints – Adetomiwa Adebawore – Edge – Northwestern

With just under 2,000 defensive snaps in four years at Northwestern, Adebawore improved his tackling numbers in every season. Unfortunately, his missed tackle number increased every season as well. The best part about his game is that he has experience both inside and outside on the defensive line. I would not say he is the best at any one thing, but does play with heat off the line and if he gets inside of the numbers of a guard he has found success with his bull rush. I would believe the Saints would use him in the rotation and see where he fits best in the line. (Mason)

#30 – Philadelphia Eagles – Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Edge – Kansas State

He joins an elite defensive line in Philadelphia and is known for bouncing off offensive linemen and his signature robot move after sacking a quarterback. Anudike-Uzomah brings all his Kansas State energy to an accomplished defense looking to replicate the success of last season. (Alex)

#31 – Kansas City Chiefs – Anton Harrison – OT – Oklahoma

Harrison is an offensive tackle who took reps from both sides of the line in college while in an inside zone gap scheme at Oklahoma. Harrison has quick fee and a big frame which assists him in pass blocking. He is also athletic enough to be effective as a pulling blocker. Currently, the Chiefs have Lucas Niang and Darian Kinnard at right tackle, so Harrison can become a day starter for Kansas City. (Mason)

This is the first mock draft in 2023 from 5 Yard College and over the next week or so it is planned to produce a Mock Draft 2.0 leading into ‘Draft Week’.

Also, stay tuned for our “On The Clock” draft week special as we count seven days down to Draft Day and follow us at @5yardcollege for upcoming college football features, interviews and news post-draft.

Please also follow @5yardrush and and @5YardDynasty for all your fantasy football needs.

Simmo – @Simmo_World